Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-30

Lutte, the stranger said: liam not mistaken
in supposing that have the honor of ad-
dressing Mr.. John Matthews, of Hanover
townshipf'
THAT is the name to which answer in
the regions round about here" was the re-
ply of the puzzled plowman.
"Then, this paper will explain my bus
ness" returned the officer, taking a legal
looking document from his pocket, and put
ting it into the outstretchcd hand Of Mat
thews
A swift glance at the contents of the
paper caused q change in the countenance
Of the farmer.
81 thought that the quota of our town
ship had been flled!" he said, as with
trembling fingers he folded the docu-
ment and returned it to its envelope.
sit seems not" answered the officer,
briefly. I'VE have raised an immense
amount OF bounty for volunteers, at any
rate" responded Matthews.
Sand still little short. You will re-
port at headquarters tomorrow evening
at four O'clock" said the stranger, turning
his horse and galloping away. John
Matthews was no coward, and if he had
been young man he would have been in
the ranks months ago, but young family
had hitherto demanded his presence at
home, and now, favorite daughter, his
tirst-born child was slowly fading away
with consumption. 1t would be hard for
him to take last look at her young face
for she would be under the sod before he
returned, IL that time shoul ever come
Unhitching his horses from the pillow, he
led them to the stable, embarrassed and
fed them, hoping by the delay to gain his
wonted composure before breaking the un-
expected news to the dear ones, as yet I'M
conscious of the cloud that oyershadowed
them.
Going round to the back door, where his
wife was at work, he made known the OBJ,
iect Of the strangers visit, and begged
her, for Maggie's sake, to bear up bravely
under the heavy tidings.
you must not think Of going, John.
Maggie could not live through the part
ing" began his wife, in quiet but decided
voice.
"You talk just like a woman, Mary.
This is an imperative call, and must be
obeyed. You know that my going at this
time is not from choice"
81 understand all about that, John. ]
l had not thought Of lifting my puny arm
against the powers that be-but you can
not CO."
"What do you mean, wife" asked hon.
est John, wondering if the i'll news had not
made the good woman little daft
'There are plenty OF men ready to go for
money, John, and there is that five hun
dred dollars in the bank" was Mary's
cheerful reply.
"But that has been laid aside to remodel
the old homestead" sighed John, thinking
OF all the improvements the money could
make.
sBetter live in the old house few years
longer, than part with its head forever
insisted Mrs. Matthew's, and she carried
her point, for before the morrow's sun
went down staunch, able-bodied man
had agreed, for the sum of five hundred
dollars, to face death in Johns place.
The months passed away-Maggie went
to join the white-robed throng In Heaven,
and before the June roses were again in
bloom, the angel Of Peace had spread her
wings over torn and bleeding country.
The years as they came ard went left
their blessings on the home Of the Nat
thews. A new house took the place of the
old one, and the former landmarks were
widened for the rich harvests, and the
large increase from the focks filed to
overHowing the Golfers Of the honest farmer.
One by one his Boys and girls went out
from beneath the sheltering love of the
dear old roof, to build up homes for them.
selves. At last only Roy, the baby, re-
mained-to stay and comfort them in their
declining years
1t was Decoration Day, 1874, that John
Matthews announced his determination of
running down 10 the city to see the pro-
cession. His heart burned within him as